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Topic Review (Newest First)

03-25-2012 04:01 PM

Hoppy

Unfortunately, my comment was based on when I built a complete set of cabinets for a big kitchen remodel. I finally "corrected" my mistakes by drilling out the knob mounting holes oversize, as much as double the screw size on some! I learned what "frustrated" means with that project.

03-25-2012 04:06 AM

sns26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoppy

I really like those knobs! I always wanted to use something like that, but never did find a good place to do so. It does look like the doors are up to 1/16" inch off in height adjustment. But, if you correct that, the knobs will be that far off. But, if you try to re-drill the hole for a knob, it will probably be off in the other direction. But, if you then adjust the other knob, it may be off horizontally. Isn't cabinet making fun?

I put the knobs in the same spot on each door, so presumably straightening out any door errors will line the knobs up too. But (a) I think this is an optical illusion, (b) I'm not going to check if I'm right, and (c) if you think I'd try to fix it and thereby make it worse you're....well, probably right.

03-25-2012 03:46 AM

Hoppy

I really like those knobs! I always wanted to use something like that, but never did find a good place to do so. It does look like the doors are up to 1/16" inch off in height adjustment. But, if you correct that, the knobs will be that far off. But, if you try to re-drill the hole for a knob, it will probably be off in the other direction. But, if you then adjust the other knob, it may be off horizontally. Isn't cabinet making fun?

03-24-2012 08:17 PM

sns26

Cripes, are my doors really that askew?! I swear it's an optical illusion. And now the knobs look crooked. @#$@. Where's that tape.

03-24-2012 08:17 PM

sns26

I gave up...

I finally broke down and put some knobs on. I suppose I can always tape over the holes if I don't like them. But my wife bought them for me for my birthday so I'd probably get some flak for that.

10-15-2011 08:49 PM

Calmia22

Quote:

Originally Posted by audioaficionado

Just as long as it isn't what's holding it together

He would need duct tape then..

10-14-2011 02:09 PM

sns26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoppy

So, I know the whole world, along with me, is waiting to find out if the blue tape is still a dominant feature of the design. If not, were you able to find something that looks even better, and what was it?

The problem that I've found with blue tape is that it's not particularly durable. After some time, the adhesive loses its...er...stickum...and also sometimes the tape tears if you pull too hard. I feel that anyone who wishes to travel my road should know that before they begin.

With that said, I can now say that blue tape satisfies the core DIY requirements: cheeep, eeeasy, and eeeefective. I just bought a second roll of it for less than the price of even one metal knob. My wife wishes to add (insert dripping sarcasm) that any of you who are trying to sell this approach to your spouses should remember that there are different colors available.

10-14-2011 10:46 AM

BoxxerBoyDrew

BEAUTIFUL BUILD!!!

I am SOOOO GLAD up decided to put the Curly Maple on the Hood too! It ties the stand and hood together! I think you would have kicked yourself if you didn't put it on there after finishing it! The heat sync is a awesome Idea too! I need to read up on the Led lighting, but I am just now updating to T5 lighting! LOL

The wood shop is a AWESOME THING to have at your disposal! I SOOO WISH I could use the Wood Shop at the High School where I grew up! It had VERY GOOD Equipment, and TONS of work benches to assemble everything on! I use my Garage floor most of the time, and it is no where near level! So it makes my assembling a challenge! For small stuff I use my Table Saw, but aquarium stands are a bit big! I have our old Kitchen Table in the Garage, but it is COVERED in Bullet Casting supplies, and my 17 yo Sans JUNK! I will have to look around to see if we have something like You have access to here in the Waco area!

Anyway GREAT BUILD, and GOOD LUCK with the tank!
Drew

10-14-2011 04:38 AM

audioaficionado

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calmia22

But... but the blue tape is what makes the stand.

Just as long as it isn't what's holding it together

10-14-2011 04:26 AM

bsmith

HOLY CRAP!!! I just looked at the pics you updated in the first post and WOW that is a beautiful stand and canopy my friend. I really wish you lived close to me as I would quickly become your best friend and coerce you into building a stand for my 40b and a future 120-p for me.

Great work!

10-14-2011 12:13 AM

Calmia22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoppy

So, I know the whole world, along with me, is waiting to find out if the blue tape is still a dominant feature of the design. If not, were you able to find something that looks even better, and what was it?

But... but the blue tape is what makes the stand.

10-13-2011 06:48 PM

Hoppy

So, I know the whole world, along with me, is waiting to find out if the blue tape is still a dominant feature of the design. If not, were you able to find something that looks even better, and what was it?

10-13-2011 02:45 PM

sns26

Quote:

Originally Posted by WingoAgency

That's a lot of heat sink!!!! How much you have spent on that?

I spent about $90 on the heatsink. I don't have tons of money, but I'm even shorter on time. I saw a path to a fixture design that I liked, and the fact that it involved a $90 piece mattered far less than the fact that it allowed me to shortcut the build by using the (rigid, tappable, unbreakable) heatsink as the skeleton for the rest of the fixture rather than worrying about building a wood-framed fixture that would be strong enough so I wouldn't worry about having it fall apart and electrocute my fish.

But more importantly, it's worth noting that when I drive both strings at 1300 mA, my big old heatsink gets plenty warm. Well within the design tolerances of the Crees, but noticeably hot to the touch. So yeah, I could have gone with something less beefy, but not much less without adding a (noisy/annoying/ugly) fan.

09-29-2011 10:38 AM

WingoAgency

Quote:

Originally Posted by sns26

I finally got around to doing the light fixture. My wife told me to lay off the curly maple for the light. But I couldn't help myself. She was right--I should have done it all out of cherry. Oh well.

I drilled and tapped the heatsink to allow me to bolt the end pieces directly to it. That's what the holes you see are for. (I'll plug them before I finish the thing.) The rest is just compound miters and glue. Plus I slipped a few Kreg screws in to help hold the thing together while the glue set...

That's a lot of heat sink!!!!

How much you have spent on that?

I also agreed that the ability of dimming down is very important both for viewing pleasure and also in case you switch the inhabitants. Multiple colors is also something I preached giving you the ability to adjust to the exact color tone you want and provide a fuller spectrum to the inhabitants that may require slightly different spectrum radiation.

09-17-2011 11:36 AM

madness

Amazing looking cabinet and light fixture enclosure.

REALLY nice looking.

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